This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

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I learned of the Aspertame and its alleged affects, including suspicions that it mimics MS symptoms, yesterday while helping the MS Society at Lobby Day at the Capitol in St Paul to get some important legislation passed in 05 to help the folks who are struggling to get by and who are disabled. It's senate and house bill 984 and 980. Call you legislator to support it for MN residents

Although a legislator gave me the information on Aspertame, I researched it further by googleing more information this morning about how the Government has been dodging the Aspertame bullet since 1996, I have removed all the diet soda (contains Aspertame) from my refrigerator and we are now going to sugar soda or cheaper water.

I thought I would pass this on here since I found this site thisisms a few weeks back and it is impressive. My wife was diagnosed with MS 3.5 years ago and we are networking with others akin to the affliction. Please read and ponder. There is quite a bit of studies about the affects of Aspertame and the below article is just one of several. Google pulls up really interesting collateral information on Aspertame. You will see also how corporate america can stifle "bad news" so it does not affect the almighty dollar. Thanks for allowing me to join this site. I pray every night for a cure someday for my wife. Also you too if you are afflicted. God Bless.

> >ASPARTAME (Nutra Sweet, Equal, Spoonful)
> >
> >WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE and the
> >MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS FOUNDATION
> >
> >F.D.A. ISSUING FOR COLLUSION WITH MONSANTO
> >Article written by Nancy Markle
> >
> >I have spent several days lecturing at the WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL
CONFERENCE
on"ASPARTAME marketed as 'NutraSweet', 'Equal', and 'Spoonful"'. In the
keynote address by the EPA, they announced that there was an epidemic of
multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus, and they did not understand what
toxin
was
> >causing this to be rampant across the United States. I explained
that I
was
> >there to lecture on exactly that subject.
> >
> >When the temperature of Aspartame exceeds 86 degrees F, the wood
alcohol
> >in ASPARTAME coverts to formaldehyde and then to formic acid,
which in
turn
> >causes metabolic acidosis. (Formic acid is the poison found in
the sting
of
> >fire ants). The methanol toxicity mimics multiple sclerosis; thus
people
> were being diagnosed with having multiple sclerosis in error. The
multiple
> >sclerosis is not a death sentence, where methanol toxicity is.
> >
> >In the case of systemic lupus, we are finding it has become
almost as
> rampant as multiple sclerosis, especially Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi
drinkers. Also,
> >with methanol toxicity, the victims usually drink three to four
12 oz.
Cans
> >of them per day, some even more. In the cases of systemic lupus,
which is
> >triggered by ASPARTAME, the victim usually does not know that the
aspartame
> >is the culprit The victim continues its use aggravating the lupus
to such
a
> >degree, that sometimes it becomes life threatening. When we get
people
off
> >the aspartame, those with systemic lupus usually become
asymptomatic.
> >Unfortunately, we can not reverse this disease.
> >
> >On the other hand, in the case of those diagnosed with Multiple
Sclerosis,
> >(when in reality, the disease is methanol toxicity), most of the
symptoms
> >disappear. We have seen cases where their vision has returned and
even
> their hearing has returned. This also applies to cases of tinnitus
(ringing in
> the ear).
> >
> >During a lecture I said "If you are using ASPARTAME (NutraSweet,
Equal,
> >Spoonful, etc.) and you suffer from fibromyalgia symptoms,
spasms,
shooting
> >pains, numbness in your legs, cramps, vertigo, dizziness,
headaches,
> >tinnitus, joint pain, depression, anxiety attacks, slurred
speech,
blurred
> >vision, or memory loss -- you probably have ASPARTAME DISEASE!"
> >
> >People were jumping up during the lecture saying, "I've got this,
is it
> >reversible?" It is rampant. Some of the speakers at my lecture
even were
> >suffering from these symptoms. In one lecture attended by the
Ambassador
of
> >Uganda, he told us that their sugar industry is adding aspartame!
He
> >continued by saying that one of the industry leader's son could
no longer
> >walk - due in part by product usage!
> >
> >We have a very serious problem. Even a stranger came up to Dr.
Espisto(one
> of my speakers) and myself and said, '1Could you tell me why so
many
people
> seem to be coming down with MS? During a visit to a hospice, a
nurse said
that
> six of her friends, who were heavy Diet Coke addicts, had all been
diagnosed
> with MS. This is beyond coincidence. Here is the problem. There
were
> Congressional Hearings when aspartame was included in 100
different
products. Since this initial hearing, there have been two subsequent
hearings, but to no avail.
> >Nothing as been done.
> >
> >The drug and chemical lobbies have very deep pockets. Now there
are over
> >5,000 products containing this chemical, and the PATENT HAS
EXPIRED!!!!!
> >
> >At the time of this first hearing, people were going blind. The
methanol
in
> >the aspartame converts to formaldehyde in the retina of the eye.
> Formaldehyde is grouped in the same class of dmgs as cyanide and
arsenic--
DEADLY POISONS!!! Unfortunately, it just takes longer to quietly kill, but
it
is
> >killing people and causing all kinds of neurological problems.
> >
> >Aspartame changes the brain's chemistry. It is the reason for
severe
> >seizures. This drug changes the dopamine level in the brain.
Imagine what
> >this drug does to patients suffering from Parkinson's Disease.
This drug
> also causes Birth Defects.
> >
> >There is absolutely no reason to take this product. It is NOT A
DIET
> >PRODUCT!!! The Congressional record said, "It makes you crave
carbohydrates
> >and will make you FAT". Dr. Roberts stated that when he got
patients off
> >aspartame, their average weight loss was 19 pounds per person.
The
> >formaldehyde stores in the fat cells, particularly in the hips
and
thighs.
> >
> >Aspartame is especially deadly for diabetics. All physicians know
what
> wood alcohol will do to a diabetic. We find that physicians
believe that
they
> have patients with retinopathy, when in fact, it is caused by the
aspartame. The
> >aspartame keeps the blood sugar level out of control, causing
many
patients
> >to go into a coma. Unfortunately, many have died.
> >
> >People were telling us at the Conference of the American College
of
> >Physicians, that they had relatives that switched from saccharin
to an
> >aspartame product and how that relative had eventually gone into
a coma.
> >Their physicians could not get the blood sugar levels under
control.
Thus,
> >the patients suffered acute memory loss and eventually coma and
death.
> >
> >Memory loss is due to the fact that aspartic acid and
phenylalanine are
> >neurotoxic without the other amino acids found in protein. Thus
it goes
> past the blood brain barrier and deteriorates the neurons of the
brain.
Dr.
> >Russell Blaylock, neurosurgeon, said, "The ingredients stimulates
the
> neurons of the brain to death, causing brain damage of varying
degrees.
Dr.
> Blaylock has written a book entitled "EXCITOTOXINS: THE TASTE THAT
KILLS"
> >
> >(Health Press 1-800-643-2665). Dr. H.J. Roberts, diabetic
specialist and
> >world expert on aspartame poisoning, has also written a book
entitled
> >"DEFENSE AGAINST ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE" (1-800-814-9800). Dr.
Roberts tells
how aspartame poisoning is escalating Alzheimer's Disease, and indeed it
is.
As the hospice nurse told me, women are being admitted at 30 years of age
with
> >Alzheimer's Disease. Dr. Blaylock and Dr. Roberts will be writing
a
> position paper with some case histories and will post it on the
Internet.
> >
> >According to the Conference of the American College of
physicians, 'We
are
> >talking about a plague of neurological diseases caused by this
deadly
> poison".
> >
> >Dr. Roberts realized what was happening when aspartame was first
marketed.
> He said "his diabetic patients presented memory loss, confusion,
and
severe
> >vision loss". At the Conference of the American College of
Physicians,
> >doctors admitted that they did not know. They had wondered why
seizures
> were rampant (the phenylalanine in aspartame breaks down the
seizure
threshold
> and depletes serotonin, which causes manic depression, panic
attacks, rage
and
> >violence).
> >
> >Just before the Conference, I received a FAX from Norway, asking
for a
> >possible antidote for this poison because they are experiencing
so many
> >problems in their country. This "poison" is now available in 90
PLUS
> >countries worldwide. Fortunately, we had speakers and ambassadors
at the
> >Conference from different nations who have pledged their help. We
ask
that
> >you help too.
> >
> >Print this article out and warn everyone you know. Take anything
that
> >contains aspartame black to the store. Take the "NO ASPARTAME
TEST" and
> send us your case history.
> >
> >I assure you that MONSANTO, the creator of aspartame, knows how
deadly it
> is. They fund the American Diabetes Association, American Dietetic
Association,
> >Congress, and the Conference of the American College of
Physicians. The
New
> >York Times, on November 15, 1996, ran an article on how the
American
> Dietetic Association takes money from the food industry to endorse
their
products. Therefore, they can not criticize any additives or tell about
their
link to
> >MONSANTO. How bad is this? We told a mother who had a child on
NutraSweet
> to get off the product. The child was having grand mal seizures
every day.
The
mother called her physician, who called the ADA, who told the doctor not
to
take the child off the NutraSweet. We are still trying to convince the
mother that the aspartame is causing the seizures.
Every time we get someone off of aspartame, the seizures stop. If the
baby
dies, you know whose fault it is, and what we are up against. There are
92
documented symptoms of aspartame, from coma to death. The majority of
them
are all neurological, because the aspartame destroys the nervous system.
There are 92 documented symptoms of aspartame, from coma to death. The
majority of them are all neurological, because the aspartame destroys the
nervous system. health problems. The burning tongue and other problems
discussed in over 60 cases can be directly related to the consumption of
an aspartame product. Several thousand pallets of diet drinks were shipped
o
the Dessert Storm troops. (Remember heat can liberate the methanol from
the
aspartame at 86 degrees F). Diet drinks sat in the 120 degree F. Arabian
sun for weeks at a time on pallets. The service men and women drank them
all
day long. All of their symptoms are identical to aspartame poisoning. Dr.
Roberts says "consuming aspartame at the time of conception can cause
birth
defects". The phenylalanine concentrates in the placenta, causing
mental retardation, according to Dr. Louis Elsas, Pediatrician
Professor -
Genetics, at Emory University in his testimony before Congress.
In the original lab tests, animals developed brain tumors (phenylalanine
breaks down into DXP, a brain tumor agent). When Dr. Espisto was
lecturing
on aspartame me, one physician in the audience, a neurosurgeon, said,
"when
they emove brain tumors, they have found high levels of aspartame in
them".
Stevia, a sweet food, NOT AN ADDITIVE, which helps in the metabolism of
sugar, which would be ideal for diabetics, has now been approved as a
dietary supplement by the F.D.A. For years, the F.D.A. has outlawed this
sweet food because of their loyalty to MONSANTO.
If it says "SUGAR FREE" on the label-- DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!!!!!!!
Senator Howard Hetzenbaum wrote a bill that would have wamed all infants,
pregnant mothers and children of the dangers of aspartame. The bill would
have also instituted independent studies on the problems existing in the
population (seizures, changes in brain chemistry, changes in neurological
and behavioral symptoms). It was killed by the powerful drug and chemical
lobbies, letting loose the hounds of disease and death on an unsuspecting
public. Since the Conference of the American College of Physicians, we
hope
to have the help of some world leaders.

Again, please help us too. There are a lot of people out there who must
be warned, *please* let them know this information.
======================================================
*****
I passed on the Aspartamane message and got this reply from a correspondent
which may interest some of you...
.................................................

I have been warning all and sundry about Aspartamane in general
and Nutrasweet in particular for years. Apart from anything else it
is absolutely typical of how the bloody FDA work.

Years ago when Aspartamane was presented for licencing to the
FDA an estimate must be given as to the average persons daily
consumption and while I have no idea of the actual figures, as it
was ONLY to be used as a sugar alternative in tea and coffee the
estimate was say 1 mg / day. So the FDA tested it for "safety" at
10 times that. Today, because Nutrasweet and the like are found
in so many things, "low calorie" puddings, yoghurts, soft drinks,
salad dressings etc etc etc the estimated average consumption is
about 10 times the higher level that was tested originally by the
FDA. They licenced the product despite the fact that they knew
that higher doses were potentially very harmful.
You report therefore comes as no surprise to me.
Another example of their (the FDA amongst others) flagrant
disregard for human health is in the (infamous) food pyramid.
Congress had asked for nutritionists to come up with a guide for
healthy eating and after much study a pyramid was designed which
showed a tiny amount of animal protein at the very top followed by
much larger quantities of whole grains, fruits and vegetables. This
original pyramid was even published. It's publication caused an
outcry amongst American farmers and within a very short space of
time the Rancher Association and Dairy Association brought so
much pressure to bear on Congress that they ordered the food
piramid top be changed to show the unhealthy diet which is STILL:
being taught today. This NEW, revised model has nothing to do
with health but rather the financial interests of rural America and
the vastly powerful Cattle Ranchers and Dairymans Associations.

Ever wondered why there is NO osteoporosis in amongst African
tribes who never see a dairy product in their life? Ever wondered
why the west which has an extremely high dairy intake is rife with
osteoporosis? Because the calcium in dairy products is not in a
form which is available to humans through normal digestion. We
are also the ONLY animal that drinks the milk of another animal or
that drinks milk after weaning. A calf's body grows 10 times
quicker than its brain, in humans it is the other way round.
Mother's milk is what babies should drink.

Do you know what is in the meat you buy at the supermarket?
Probably not, if you did you would think that the meat should be on
sale at the local pharmacy!

In the USA it is legal and is widely practised to feed cattle with
cement dust - as you may have guessed this makes the animals
weigh more which are then sold by weight. Ever wondered why
American kids and western kids in general are getting so big?
Could it possible have something to do with all the steroids that are
force fed to the cattle whose meat is in all those Hamburgers?

Good health begins in the colon, as does disease and death.
Modern farming methods have made the food we eat empty. A
healthy plant needs only about 8 minerals, humans need over 60!
the man who won the Nobel prize for inventing the fertilizer based
on Potassium, Nitrogen and Calcium (I think this is right!) before
his death made every effort to let the world know what a terrible
mistake he had made and that fertilizers should contain multiple
minerals not just three. He was of course ridiculed and ignored
and to this day his retraction has been ignored by the
Establishment. That is why it is unfortunately so necessary to
take supplements - So lets all have expensive urine and live happy,
healthy
lives for many years to come.

To end my rant, a little about sugar. Refined Sugar is one of the
most addictive products known to man, which is why it is added to
almost everything - even Ketchup and tinned hotdogs!! I really
worry about kids. Having just spent almost a week with a friend's
three year old who happens to love fruit and vegetables, she is also
addicted to sugar and of course gets away with eating plenty of it
because we live in a society where it is seen as practically cruel to
refuse your child sweets! Its very easy for me I don't have kids, but
try this, next time your child wants a sweetie, try giving her/him
some fruit. Fruit contains fructose which is a natural, very sweet,
substance. It also gives energy directly to the brain which is why it
is a such a good breakfast item.

If you repeat something for 10 straight days, by the 11th day it has
become a new habit.
Would you all your child to drink poison? Obviously no. Well, in my view
refined sugar IS poison.

Advertisement

Aspartame... the BAD news!
Article courtesy of: Mark Gold mgold@tiac.net(researcher for twenty years on such subjects)

Equal, Nutrasweet, Equal Measure, Spoonful, Canderal (E951)
Aspartame was not approved until 1981, in dry foods. For over eight years the FDA refused to approve it because of the seizures and brain tumors this drug produced in lab animals. The FDA continued to refuse to approve it until President Reagan took office (a friend of Searle) and fired the FDA Commissioner who wouldn't approve it. Dr. Arthur Hull Hayes was appointed as commissioner. Even then there was so much opposition to approval that a Board of Inquiry was set up. The Board said: "Do not approve aspartame". Dr. Hayes OVERRULED his own Board of Inquiry.
Shortly after Commissioner Arthur Hull Hayes, Jr., approved the use of aspartame in carbonated beverages, he left for a position with G.D. Searle's Public Relations firm.
Long-Term Damage. It appears to cause slow, silent damage in those unfortunate enough to not have immediate reactions and a reason to avoid it. It may take one year, five years, 10 years, or 40 years, but it seems to cause some reversible and some irreversible changes in health over long-term use.
METHANOL (AKA WOOD ALCOHOL/POISON) (10% OF ASPARTAME) Methanol/wood alcohol is a deadly poison. People may recall that methanol was the poison that has caused some "skid row" alcoholics to end up blind or dead. Methanol is gradually released in the small intestine when the methyl group of aspartame encounter the enzyme chymotrypsin.
The absorption of methanol into the body is sped up considerably when free methanol is ingested. Free methanol is created from aspartame when it is heated to above 86 Fahrenheit (30 Centigrade). This would occur when aspartame-containing product is improperly stored or when it is heated (e.g., as part of a "food" product such as Jello).
Methanol breaks down into formic acid and formaldehyde in the body. Formaldehyde is a deadly neurotoxin. An EPA assessment of methanol states that methanol "is considered a cumulative poison due to the low rate of excretion once it is absorbed. In the body, methanol is oxidized to formaldehyde and formic acid; both of these metabolites are toxic." The recommend a limit of consumption of 7.8 mg/day. A one-liter (approx. 1 quart) aspartame-sweetened beverage contains about 56 mg of methanol. Heavy users of aspartame-containing products consume as much as 250 mg of methanol daily or 32 times the EPA limit.
The most well known problems from methanol poisoning are vision problems. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, causes retinal damage, interferes with DNA replication, and causes birth defects. Due to the lack of a couple of key enzymes, humans are many times more sensitive to the toxic effects of methanol than animals. Therefore, tests of aspartame or methanol on animals do not accurately reflect the danger for humans. As pointed out by Dr Woodrow C. Monte, Director of the Food Science and Nutrition Laboratory at Arizona State University, "There are no human or mammalian studies to evaluate the possible mutagenic, teratogenic, or carcinogenic effects of chronic administration of methyl alcohol."
It has been pointed out that fruit juices and alcoholic beverages contain small amounts of methanol. It is important to remember, that the methanol in natural products never appears alone. In every case, ethanol is present, usually in much higher amounts. Ethanol is an antidote for methanol toxicity in humans. The troops of Desert Storm were "treated" to large amounts of aspartame-sweetened beverages which had been heated to over 86 degrees F. in the Saudi Arabian sun. Many of them returned home with numerous disorders similar to what has been seen in persons who have been chemically poisoned by formaldehyde. The free methanol in the beverages may have been a contributing factor in these illnesses. Other breakdown products of aspartame such as DKP, may also have been a factor.
In a 1993 act that can only be described as "unconscionable", the FDA approved aspartame as an ingredient in numerous food items that would always be heated to above 86°degrees F (30°Degrees C).
Much worse, on 27 June 1996, without public notice, the FDA removed all restrictions from aspartame allowing it to be used in everything, including all heated and baked goods.
The truth about aspartame's toxicity is far different than what the NutraSweet Company would have you readers believe. In February of 1994, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released the listing of adverse reactions reported to the FDA (DHHS 1994). Aspartame accounted for more than 75% of all adverse reactions reported to the FDA's Adverse Reaction Monitoring System (ARMS). By the FDA's own admission fewer then ONE PERCENT of those who have problems with something they consume ever report it to the FDA. This balloons the almost 10,000 complaints they once had to around a million. However, the FDA has a record keeping problem (they never did respond to the certified letter from the WEBMASTER of this site... a major victim!) and they tend to discourage or even misdirect complaints, at least on aspartame. The fact remains, though, that MOST victims don't have a clue that aspartame may be the cause of their many problems! Many reactions to aspartame were very serious including seizures and death. Those reactions included:
DORway documents now linked to SYMPTOM!

How it happens:
Methanol, from aspartame, is released in the small intestine when the methyl group of aspartame encounters the enzyme chymotrypsin (Stegink 1984, page 143). Free methanol begins to form in liquid aspartame-containing products at temperatures above 86 degrees F.. also within the human body.
The methanol is then converted to formaldehyde. The formaldehyde converts to formic acid, ant sting poison. Toxic formic acid is used as an activator to strip epoxy and urethane coatings. Imagine what it does to your tissues!
Phenylalanine and aspartic acid, 90% of aspartame, are amino acids normally used in synthesis of protoplasm when supplied by the foods we eat. But when unaccompanied by other amino acids we use [there are 20], they are neurotoxic.
That is why a warning for Phenylketonurics is found on EQUAL and other aspartame products. Phenylketenurics are 2% of the population with extreme sensitivity to this chemical unless it's present in food. It gets you too, causing brain disorders and birth defects! Finally, the phenyalanine breaks down into DKP, a brain tumor agent.
In other words: Aspartame converts to dangerous byproducts that have no natural countermeasures. A dieter's empty stomach accelerates these conversions and amplifies the damage. Components of aspartame go straight to the brain, damage that causes headaches, mental confusion, seizures and faulty balance. Lab rats and other test animals died of brain tumors.
Despite the claims of Monsanto and bedfellows:
1. Methanol from alcohol and juices does not get converted to formaldehyde to any significant extent. There is very strong evidence to confirm this fact for alcoholic beverages and fairly strong evidence for juices.
2. Formaldehyde obtained from methanol is very toxic in *very small* doses as seen by recent research.
3. Aspartame causes chronic toxicity reactions/damage due to the methanol to formaldehyde and other break down products despite what is claimed otherwise by the very short, industry-funded experiments using a test substance that is chemically different and absorbed differently than what is available to the general public. "Strangely enough", almost all independent studies show that aspartame can cause health problems.
4. A common ploy from Monsanto is to claim that aspartame is "safe" yet a few select people may have "allergic" reactions to it. This is typical Monsanto nonsense, of course. Their own research shows that it does not cause "allergic" reactions. It is there way of trying to minimize and hide the huge numbers of toxicity reactions and damage that people are experiencing from the long-term use of aspartame.
Summary
Given the following points, it is definitely premature for researchers to discount the role of methanol in aspartame side effects:
1. The amount of methanol ingested from aspartame is unprecedented in human history. Methanol from fruit juice ingestion does not even approach the quantity of methanol ingested from aspartame, especially in persons who ingest one to three liters (or more) of diet beverages every day. Unlike methanol from aspartame, methanol from natural products is probably not absorbed or converted to its toxic metabolites in significant amounts as discussed earlier.
2. Lack of laboratory-detectable changes in plasma formic acid and formaldehyde levels do not preclude damage being caused by these toxic metabolites. Laboratory-detectable changes in formate levels are often not found in short exposures to methanol.
3. Aspartame-containing products often provide little or no nutrients which may protect against chronic methanol poisoning and are often consumed in between meals. Persons who ingest aspartame-containing products are often dieting and more likely to have nutritional deficiencies than persons who take the time to make fresh juices.
4. Persons with certain health conditions or on certain drugs may be much more susceptible to chronic methanol poisoning.
5. Chronic diseases and side effects from slow poisons often build silently over a long period of time. Many chronic diseases which seem to appear suddenly have actually been building in the body over many years.
6. An increasing body of research is showing that many people are highly sensitive to low doses of formaldehyde in the environment. Environmental exposure to formaldehyde and ingestion of methanol (which converts to formaldehyde) from aspartame likely has a cumulative deleterious effect.
7. Formic acid has been shown to slowly accumulate in various parts of the body. Formic acid has been shown to inhibit oxygen metabolism.
8. The are a very large and growing number of persons are experiencing chronic health problems similar to the side effects of chronic methanol poisoning when ingesting aspartame-containing products for a significant length of time. This includes many cases of eye damage similar to the type of eye damage seen in methanol poisoning cases.
Toxicity Effects of Aspartame Use Selection of Health Effects from Short-term and/or Long-Term Use Note: It often takes at least sixty days without any aspartame NutraSweet to see a significant improvement. Check all labels very carefully (including vitamins and pharmaceuticals). Look for the word "aspartame" on the label and avoid it. (Also, it is a good idea to avoid "acesulfame-k" or "sunette.") Finally, avoid getting nutrition information from junk food industry PR organizations such as IFIC or organizations that accept large sums of money from the junk and chemical food industry such as the American Dietetic Association.
If you are a user of any products with aspartame, and you have physical, visual, mental problems... take the 60-day no aspartame test. If, after two months with no aspartame your symptoms are either gone, or are much less severe, please get involved to get this neurotoxin off the market. Write a letter to the FDA, with a copy to Betty Martini (for proof of how the FDA doesn't keep proper records). Write your congressmen. Return products containing aspartame to the point of purchase... for a FULL refund. Make a big stink if they WON'T give you a full refund! Tell all your friends and family... and if they stop using aspartame and also "wake up well"... get them involved in the same way.
Aspartame is an "approved sweetener" because of a few greedy and dishonest people who place profits above human life and well-being. With the FDA and our Congress culpable, only an INFORMED and ACTIVE public will affects its reclassification from "food additive" to TOXIC DRUG, and removed from the human food chain.
Need to view some of the FDA original documentation?

Hope you didn't miss the magazine article last night on television about the whistle blower who has exposed the FDA on how and why they let VIOXX go to market, among many other drugs and how the drug companies and others influence the FDA.

There doesn't appear to be a Nancy Markle, who supposedly wrote the letter. It is attributed to a Betty Martini who calls herself a doctor. She has a bachelor's and master's degree in theology and an honorary doctorate in humanities.
http://www.wnho.net/bio-bmartini.htmSeems she has a personal campaign going against aspertame.

Are you in any way associated with this Betty Martini? You suddenly
appear on this web forum and start espousing her crusade. Maybe there
is something to investigate about aspartame but so far from the information provided, it doesn't appear to be established as a problem in the way we would normally see a problem with a drug established. Please clarify this. Cite some published articles in reputable scientific journals so we can judge for ourselves. That's how it works.

I was a huge Diet Drink consumer. Someone told me about the aspertame deal and I removed it from my diet all together. I found off brand diet drinks that uses splenda and thats all I will drink (When I drink soda). Its been about 6 months since I dropped it and I haven't seen any changes in MS. I figured whats the harm though. At best its saving me quite a bit in the cost of the drinks.

We are off it also. Although it certainly is not a cure all, it's like finding out later in life that the tobaco companies were lying to us and the real truth is that ....duh.....smoking is bad for you. Not that it causes all cancers, but not doing it or quiting it can't hurt. That was my point. Nice to know someone got it.

There is no question that the FDA is heavily influenced by some group or another. I would know, in my functional life I used to do drug trials and worked closely with the FDA. It was common knowledge 4 years ago amongst those of us working in drug research that the FDA was to pull Vioxx because of it;s bad side effects. Why it took so long? You would have to ask the FDA. HOWEVER, having worked with the FDA as I did, aspartame would not still be on the freaking market if it really did cause all these alleged problems. If they did have evidence, I am sure while it might take them a few years, they would have pulled it. And YES I was a diet coke freak. I drank about a 12 pack a day. Now because of my easily becoming dehydrated I am forced to drink Diet Rite (splenda)since it doesnt have caffeine. I have only gotten worse since my forced quit of diet coke. I can PROMISE you, there is no medical proof whatsoever that aspartame causes anything but a funky taste regular soda or sugar drinkers dont like. Period.

i have a cousin by marriage who got MS in the early 1970's and he's doing very poorly. this was years before aspartame. methanol toxicity has a very specific set of signs and symptoms. look at a poison control website. ive seen methanol intoxicated in the ambulance while i was a paramedic and it's nothing like MS.

I have had MS for 15 years. I do not nor have I ever used diet sodas, mostly because they REALLY SUCK!!!!(bad taste) However, aspertame is a neurotoxic substance and no one should use it! Check out Blaylocks book "Excitotoxins, The Taste That Kills". I don't believe that anyone who would take the time to read this would continue to use these substances.

Katey wrote:I have had MS for 15 years. I do not nor have I ever used diet sodas, mostly because they REALLY SUCK!!!!(bad taste) However, aspertame is a neurotoxic substance and no one should use it! Check out Blaylocks book "Excitotoxins, The Taste That Kills". I don't believe that anyone who would take the time to read this would continue to use these substances.

I read some of Blaylock's stuff on the web. I found him to be an egotistical kook, myself. I have not read his book but I would be suspicious of anything he authored.

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